- duration; continuance indefinite, unlimited duration in which things are considered as happening in the past, present, or future; every moment there has ever been or ever will be
- the entire period of existence of the known universe; finite duration, as distinguished from infinity
- the entire period of existence of the world or of humanity; earthly duration, as distinguished from eternity
- [T-] Father Time
- a period or interval the period between two events or during which something exists, happens, or acts; measured or measurable interval[often pl.] any period in the history of humanity or of the universe, often specif. with reference to a characteristic social structure, set of customs, famous person living then, etc.: prehistoric times, medieval times, geologic time, Lincoln's time
- a period characterized by a prevailing condition or specific experience: a time of peace, have a good time
- [usually pl.] the prevailing conditions of a particular period: the times were difficult
- a period of existence; lifetime: his time is almost over
- a term of apprenticeship
- a term of imprisonment
- a term of military service
- Obs. a period of indenture
- the period regularly worked or to be worked by an employee
- the hourly rate of pay for the regular working hours
- the grouping of rhythmic beats into measures of equal length
- the characteristic rhythm of a piece of music in terms of this grouping, indicated by the time signature
- the rate of speed at which a composition or passage is played; tempo
- loosely the rhythm and tempo characteristic of a kind of composition: waltz time, march time
- the duration of a note or rest
- a point in duration; moment; instant; occasion a precise instant, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year, determined by clock or calendar; specif., the present instant, determined by clock: do you know the time? the point at which something has happened, is happening, or will happen; occasion: game time is two o'clock the usual, natural, traditional, or appointed moment for something to happen, begin, or end [time to get up]; specif.,
- the moment of death: his time is close at hand
- the end of a period of pregnancy; moment of giving birth: her time had come
- one's turn at something: a time at bat
Origin of time
Middle English from Old English tima, probably from Indo-European an unverified form d?-men from base an unverified form d?(i)-, to part, divide up from source tideSports used to signify that a period of play or activity has ended or that play is temporarily suspended
transitive verb
timed, tim′ing- to arrange or set the time of so as to be acceptable, suitable, opportune, etc.: to time an invasion
- to adjust, set, play, etc. so as to coincide in time with something else: to time one's watch with another's
- to regulate (a mechanism) for a given speed or length of operation
- to set the duration of (a syllable or musical note) as a unit of rhythm
- to calculate or record the pace, speed, finishing time, etc. of; clock: to time a runner
Rare to move in time; keep time
- having to do with time
- set or regulated so as to explode, open, etc. at a given time: a time bomb
- payable later or on a specified future date: a time loan
- designating or of any of a series of payments made or to be made over a period of time: a time payment
time Idioms
about time
a phrase used to convey that something that has happened was overdue
abreast of the times
- up-to-date, as in ideas, fashions, etc.; modern
- informed about current matters
against time
in an effort to finish in a given time
ahead of time
sooner than due; early
all the time
often, regularly, or constantly
at one time
- simultaneously
- formerly
at the same time
- simultaneously; in the same period
- nonetheless; however
at times
occasionally; sometimes
behind the times
out-of-date; old-fashioned
behind time
late
between times
at intervals, as between other events or actions
do time
Informal to serve a prison term
for the time being
for the present; temporarily
from time to time
at intervals; now and then
gain time
- to go too fast: said of a timepiece
- to prolong a situation until a desired occurrence can take place
in good time
- at the proper time
- in a creditably short time; quickly
in no time
almost instantly; very quickly
in time
- in the course of time; eventually
- before it is too late
- keeping the set rhythm, tempo, pace, etc.
keep good (or bad, etc.) time
to register the elapsing of time or adhere to a meter in an accurate (or inaccurate, etc.) manner: a clock, drummer, etc. that keeps good time
keep time
- to maintain a set rhythm, beat, tempo, etc.: the drummers kept time for the marching band
- to mark or note the elapsing of time: a referee assigned to keep time
lose no time
to act or respond promptly: the ambulance lost no time in getting here
lose time
- to go too slow: said of a timepiece
- to let time go by without advancing one's objective
make time
- to compensate for lost time by going faster: said as of a train
- to travel, work, etc. at a specified, esp. fast, rate of speed: we made (good) time between Boston and Albany
make time with
Slang to succeed in attracting or having an affair with (a person)
many a time
often; frequently
not give someone the time of day
to refuse to speak to or be polite to someone
on one's own time
during time for which one is not paid; during other than working hours
on time
- at the appointed time; punctual or punctually
- with the agreement that payment will be made in installments over a period of time
out of time
- not at the usual time; unseasonable
- not keeping the set rhythm, tempo, pace, etc.
- with all allotted or available time having elapsed
pass the time
to fill a span of time, as with some pleasant diversion
pass the time of day
to exchange a few words of greeting, etc.
(have) the time of one's life
Informal (have) an experience of great pleasure
time after time
again and again; continually
also time and again
time is money
a proverb meaning that delay and inefficiency are equivalent to a monetary loss
time of life
age (of a person)
time on one's hands
an interval with nothing to do
time out of mind
time immemorial (sense )
time was
there was a time
time will tell
a proverb meaning that some time will pass before an outcome or result is known or confirmed
